WHO Organizes Workshops for Member States on Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 Vaccine Deployment

Abuja, 19 November 2009 -- The first of two five-day inter-country workshops on pandemic influenza A H1N1 vaccine depolyment organized by the World Health Organziation (WHO) for its Member States in the African Region got underway on Monday in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

The workshop, being attended by representatives of French- and Portguese-speaking countries will be followed by another, scheduled from 23 to 27 November 2009, for English-speaking countries

Mauritius Call for Action adopted

Port Louis, 14 November  2009 -- The International Conference on Diabetes and Associated Diseases has ended today with the unanimous adoption of the Mauritius Call for Action which aims at identifying key strategies and commitments urgently required for planning and implementing national diabetes and non-communicable diseases prevention and control programs.

More than 300 delegates from over 50 countries expressed concern about the scale of the diabetes epidemic and its impact on socio-economic development particularly in the African region. They proclaimed their commitment to integrate diabetes and other non-communicable diseases into primary health care as well as increase sensitisation and advocacy to fight the growing epidemic..

The Challenge of Diabetes by 2030

Port Louis, 13 November  2009 -- The figures are alarming. Nevertheless they are real. By 2010, more than 285 millions people worldwide will live with diabetes of which 4 million will die. The number of cases could rise up to 438 millions by 2030.

These statistics are published in the World Diabetes Atlas 2009 presented by David Whiting, epidemiologist, at the International Conference on Diabetes and Associated Diseases held in Port-Louis (Mauritius).

The International Conference on Diabetes opens with urgent calls for action

Port Louis, 12 November  2009 -- The International Conference on Diabetes and Associated Diseases opened today in Mauritius with calls for action to address diabetes which is already having a tremendous impact on the life and health of millions of individuals, families and communities in many parts of the world.

Addressing delegates at the conference, His Excellency Dr The Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius said that diabetes is an  epidemic that is exploding across the world. He pointed out that the holding of this conference is in line with the call of the African region to respond to this epidemic which is a serious challenge to the attainment of internationally agreed health development goals.